He let a pass slide under his foot and almost gifted United striker Rooney an early goal on his birthday.

But Kolo Toure flung himself to block Rooney's shot and, when Paul Scholes gathered the rebound and again played in Rooney, the teenager cut the ball back to an unmarked Ryan Giggs.

Giggs struck a true shot, only for some more desperate Arsenal defending to come to their rescue, with Campbell getting his body in the way of the strike.

Arsenal were then left bewildered when the referee waved play on after Freddie Ljungberg went down after a challenge from Ferdinand as he raced on to an Edu through ball.

The attack served as a warning to United as Arsenal started to get their free-flowing passing game into gear and a well-engineered move led to Bergkamp being played in on the United goal by Jose Antonio Reyes.

Campbell (right) conceded a penalty for a challenge on Rooney

But home keeper Carroll quickly came out to save at the striker's feet.

Arsenal looked dangerous whenever they held on to possession and Henry was put clear by Edu, only for the alert Carroll to again rescue his side by quickly coming off his line and blocking at the French striker's feet.

Tempers were on a knife-edge at a tension-filled Old Trafford and threatened to boil over on a couple of occasions before the half-time whistle.

United had to endure some tense moments in their goalmouth as Arsenal began to dominate following the interval with Bergkamp dragging a shot wide in a promising opening for the visitors.

But United did threaten, with Heinze heading wide, and they took the lead when Rooney earned a penalty after a foul by Campbell.